Calochortus striatus
Alkali mariposa lily
(c) Stan Shebs, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Liliaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Calochortus striatus (Alkali mariposa lily) is a native California herb in the Liliaceae family, recognized by distinctive purple-veined flowers and alkaline habitat.
Alkali mariposa lily is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada Foothills and western Mojave Desert in alkaline meadows and moist creosote-bush scrub at elevations of 800 to 1,400 meters. Flowering from April to June, this delicate lily produces white to lavender flowers with distinctive purple veining, 20 to 30 millimeters long, with irregularly toothed petals that are sparsely hairy near the nectary. Growing with slender stems 1 to 5 centimeters tall, it emerges from a base of leaves that typically wither during flowering. Its basal leaves measure 10 to 20 centimeters long, with 1 to 2 additional cauline leaves 6 to 8 centimeters in length. The fruit is an erect, linear structure 4 to 5 centimeters long, bearing flat, light yellow or tan seeds with a distinctive net-like pattern.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; distinctive purple-veined flowers and alkaline habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Alkaline meadows, moist creosote-bush scrub
Elevation: 800-1400 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Kern, Inyo, Orange
Outside California: western Nevada
Bloom period
Calochortus striatus blooms Apr-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Clarkia: Calochortus has 6 stamens and grass-like leaves; Clarkia has 8 stamens and broad stem leaves.; vs Fritillaria: Calochortus flowers open upward/outward in cups; Fritillaria flowers hang downward like bells.; vs Thismia: Calochortus has green leaves and open flowers; Thismia is leafless with closed tubular flowers.; vs Eschscholzia: Calochortus has 6 petals and parallel-veined leaves; Eschscholzia has 4 petals and divided leaves.; vs Sidalcea: Calochortus has 6 petals and grass-like leaves; Sidalcea has 5 petals and rounded lobed leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Calochortus striatus native to California?
Yes. Calochortus striatus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Calochortus striatus bloom?
Calochortus striatus blooms Apr-Jun.
Where in California does Calochortus striatus grow?
Calochortus striatus occurs in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Kern, Inyo, Orange, at elevations of 800-1400 m.
What plant family does Calochortus striatus belong to?
Calochortus striatus is in the Liliaceae family, genus Calochortus.
Is Calochortus striatus rare or endangered?
Calochortus striatus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2S3.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.